Is Pyemotes zhonghuajia (Acari: Pyemotidae) a suitable biological control agent against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)?

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-657
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Liu ◽  
Tai-An Tian ◽  
Xue-Lin Li ◽  
Yi-Chai Chen ◽  
Xiao-Fei Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Basic Information ◽  
Mite Density ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the most damaging noctuid pests of maize and is reported in China at the beginning of 2019. It poses a serious threat to the food security of China. In order to find an attractive alternative to reduce the application of chemical insecticides, we screened different initial mite densities of Pyemotes zhonghuajia on the mortality rate of different stages of FAW and also recorded the number of P. zhonghuajia on FAW at the different times (24, 48, and 72 h). The results showed that initial mite densities had a significant effect on the mortality rates of all stages of FAW and the number of P. zhonghuajia found on the surface of FAW. One P. zhonghuajia female was able to significantly induce the mortality of FAW in the 1st to 3rd instar larvae, and the mite density of 40 could achieve 100% FAW mortality when added 1st to 5th instar larvae and prepupae. There was an increasing number of P. zhonghuajia on FAW from the 2nd to 4th instar larvae stages at all three days. These results provide the basic information for considering P. zhonghuajia as a suitable bio-control agent against FAW in China. 

scholarly journals Efficacy of Thai indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes for controlling fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J. E. Smith)(Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wandee Wattanachaiyingcharoen ◽  
Ongpo Lepcha ◽  
Apichat Vitta ◽  
Det Wattanachaiyingcharoen
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Larval Instars ◽  
Sensitive Stage ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Abstract Background Under laboratory and greenhouse conditions, the virulence of 2 isolates of Thai indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in controlling the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae), was demonstrated. Six EPNs dosages were tested against 2 larval instars of FAW under the laboratory conditions, while 2 different concentrations were tested under the greenhouse conditions. Results The results of a laboratory experiment revealed that 2 Thai indigenous EPNs isolates (Heterorhabditis indica isolate AUT 13.2 and Steinernema siamkayai isolate APL 12.3) were efficient against the FAW, 2nd and 5th larval instars. Six different nematode concentrations (50,100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 infectious juveniles (IJs) ml−1) were evaluated, and all were proven to be effective, with the mortality rate associated with concentration. Inoculated larvae in the 2nd instar was more vulnerable than that in the 5th instar. H. indica isolate AUT 13.2 was more destructive than S. siamkayai isolate APL 12.3. The greatest mortality rate of 2nd instar larvae was 83% when H. indica AUT 13.2 was applied at the concentration of 250 IJs ml−1, and 68% when the nematode S. siamkayai APL 12.3 was used at the concentration of 300 IJs ml−1. At 250 IJsml−1, the highest mortality rate of the 5th instar larvae was 45% for H. indica AUT 13.2 and 33% for S. siamkayai APL 12.3, respectively. To customize the concentration and volume of nematodes suspension evaluated in the greenhouse settings, the most sensitive stage of FAW and the optimum concentration that caused the highest mortality were used. The concentrations of both indigenous nematodes’ isolates were 20,000 and 50,000 IJsml−1 per pot, respectively, and the results showed that the mortality rates were lower than that in the laboratory. FAW mortality rate was the highest (58%) in case of the nematode H. indica isolate AUT 13.2, against (45%) in case of S. siamkayai isolate APL 12.3, at the 50,000 IJs ml−1 concentrations. Conclusions The study revealed the 2 Thai indigenous EPNs isolates (H. indica isolate AUT 13.2 and S. siamkayai isolate APL 12.3) were capable of controlling the FAW in both laboratory and greenhouse environments. The 2 Thai EPNs showed the potential to be considered as a biological control agent.

scholarly journals Eiphosoma laphygmae, a classical solution for the biocontrol of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabea Allen ◽  
Marc Kenis ◽  
Lindsey Norgrove
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
North East ◽  
Parasitism Rates

AbstractThe fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, an American Lepidoptera, is invasive in Africa and Asia and currently one of the most damaging cereal pests in the tropics. The ichneumonid parasitoid, Eiphosoma laphygmae, is a potential classical biological control agent. We assessed existing knowledge on biology, identified natural distributions, collated reported parasitism rates from field studies and determined which other parasitoids co-occurred. We discussed the suitability of E. laphygmae for classical biological control as well as identified limitations and knowledge gaps. We conducted a systematic literature review and had 185 hits, retaining 52 papers. Reports on the natural distribution of E. laphygmae were restricted to the American tropics, ranging from North-East Mexico to Sao Paulo State, Brazil. There were only two single and unconfirmed records of it on other hosts, suggesting that the parasitoid may be specific to S. frugiperda, but this needs confirmation. In fields where E. laphygmae occurred naturally, it was the second most important contributor to fall armyworm mortality, after the braconid Chelonus insularis. On average, E. laphygmae parasitized 4.5% of fall armyworm in field studies. The highest parasitism rates were from Costa Rica (13%) and Minas Gerais, Brazil (14.5%). However, these parasitism rates are probably largely underestimated because of likely biases in sampling and parasitism rate calculations. Eiphosoma laphygmae appeared to establish better in more diverse, weedy systems. As African farming systems often have high diversity, this may favour the establishment and parasitism of E. laphygmae if eventually introduced as a classical biological control agent.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Various Developmental Stages of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, to Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 868
Author(s):  
Rajendra Acharya ◽  
Hwal-Su Hwang ◽  
Md Munir Mostafiz ◽  
Yeon-Su Yu ◽  
Kyeong-Yeoll Lee
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Soil Column ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Petri Dish ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Highly Virulent

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, which is native to Central and South America, has recently invaded Africa and Asia, causing serious damage to various crops. Although management to date has been largely unsuccessful, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a potential biological control agent that could be used to control the late larval and pupal stages of S. frugiperda that dwell under the ground. Here, we compared the virulence of seven EPNs against larval and pupal stages of S. frugiperda. In a Petri dish assay, both Heterorhabditis indica and Steinernema carpocapsae were highly virulent against younger larvae, whereas S. arenarium and S. longicaudum were highly virulent against older larvae. In contrast, H. bacteriophora, Heterorhabditis sp., and S. kushidai showed low virulence against all larval stages. In soil column and pot assays, H. indica, S. carpocapsae, and S. longicaudum were highly virulent against late larval and pupal stages compared with the other EPN species. Thus, H. indica, S. carpocapsae, and S. longicaudum are recommended for the biological control of S. frugiperda. Our study provides important information of EPNs for the practical application of biological control of fall armyworm.

scholarly journals Pathogenicity of some local entomopathogenic fungus isolates on the cotton leafworm larvae, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Funda Şahin ◽  
Yusuf Yanar
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Entomopathogenic Fungi ◽  
Entomopathogenic Fungus ◽  
Spodoptera Littoralis ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Cotton Leaf ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Abstract Background Pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), isolated from soil samples collected from Ordu Province, Turkey, was evaluated on the second-instar larvae of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions. Results Firstly, single-concentration response tests were conducted in order to determine the efficacy of the 64 isolates on S. littoralis larvae at the concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/ml. The five isolates displaying the highest mortality rates in single-concentration response tests, ORU-50, ORM-40, ORP-13, ORP-27 and ORM-48 (which included Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium brunneum and Clonostachys rogersoniana), were subjected to concentration–response tests at the concentrations of 1 × 105–1 × 109 conidia/ml. The lowest LC50 and LC90 values were recorded at ORP-27 with 1.68 × 107 and 4.60 × 108 conidia/ml, respectively, followed by ORP-13 and ORM-40. Conclusions Accordingly, it was found that M. brunneum isolates were more effective than B. bassiana and C. rogersoniana against S. littoralis larvae. ORP-27, ORP-13 and ORM-40 of M. brunneum isolates can be a potential biological control agent used against S. littoralis larvae.

Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Vespidae: Polistinae) in the Western Amazon: a Potential Biological Control Agent

Sociobiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus Montefusco Oliveira ◽  
Flávia Batista Gomes ◽  
Alexandre Somavilla ◽  
Cristiane Krug
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Plutella Xylostella ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Plant Fiber ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Significant Difference

Wasps of the genus Polistes (Vespidae: Polistinae) are eusocial, considered valuable biological control agents. The objective of this work was to determine the resources collected by Polistes canadensis wasps, evaluate their performance and importance as a natural enemy and possible agent of biological control in the Brazilian Amazon. Between 8 October and 20 November of 2014, 20 evaluations were performed, totalizing 101 hours of observations of the foraging activity of an aggregation out in stage of development post-emergence with approximately 50 adult individuals distributed in 15 colonies. Additionally, observations of the predatory activity of Polistes canadensis on Plutella xylostella on a small organic plantation of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC), were also made. During the evaluations 1742 returns were recorded, 11.72% of them with prey, 3.10% with plant fiber, 16.76% with nectar, 45.17% with water and 23.25% without any visible load. All the preys identified were classified as Lepidoptera, belonging to ten morphospecies. Only one morphospecies was identified as Spodoptera frugiperda, which was the most commonly resource used by the wasps in 37 % in immature feeding. Only returns with nectar had statistically significant difference between the evaluated schedules.  Polistes canadensis wasps did not prey Plutella xylostella caterpillars. The wasp aggregation studied was able to prey an average of 10.2 caterpillars per day, which demonstrates the potential of this species for the biological control of pests in the Amazon region.

scholarly journals Redescription of Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae), parasitoid of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Camargo ◽  
R. A. Brito ◽  
A. M. Penteado-Dias
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Parasitoid Wasps ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Campoletis Sonorensis ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Abstract The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) is a voracious pest of numerous crops of economic importance throughout the New World. In Brazil, its larvae are attacked by several species of parasitoid wasps, making them potential candidate as biological control agents against this pest. A survey of the parasitoid fauna on S. frugiperda in maize crops throughout Brazil reveals two species of Campoletis, which are morphologicaly very similar species. In this paper we combine these data with pictures from the type material of C. sonorensis and C. flavicincta, as well as their descriptions to provide a redescription to Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) using for this both morphological characters and DNA Barcoding (Hebert et al., 2003) information, in an attempt to help with the correct identification of the taxa to improve biological control studies.

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